By Brendan Carr on Tuesday, May 10, 2016

​Teacher Appreciation Day, Mother’s Day, Nurses Week and Memorial Day all occur in May. No wonder The Dansko Blog is celebrating heroes all month long! Our first post of the month presents five ways that everyone can be a hero!

Did you know that you can be a hero? No, not the caped kind that’s currently cavorting around every movie screen. Although those characters are fun to watch, most of us aren’t going to help humanity with our super-strength or flying prowess. But we can make a difference in the world through small acts of kindness. Below you’ll find five ways to be an Everyday Hero!

​Pick Up the Tab

On your next visit to a local coffee shop, brighten a fellow customer’s day by paying for their order. Simple in execution, this is one of the most effective ways to bring a smile to a stranger’s face and spread a sense of goodwill. Try it next time you’re in line. Don’t be surprised to see other folks following your examp

​Give Old Books a Second Life

The upside to being an avid reader: finding yourself totally engrossed by a good story. The downside: storing all those books. Rather than lying dormant on a shelf, those literary adventures should be shared with others. Donating used books to your local library helps build the community’s collection and/or raises funds for additional library programs via book fairs.

​Surprise Greetings

Busy schedules often make it difficult to spend time with or call an old friend. When you can’t be there physically, do the next best thing: send surprise greetings. Don’t wait for birthdays or special occasions. Buy a blank greeting card, take a few minutes out of the day to write a brief message and then mail it. This simple act lets friends know that they’re always in your thoughts.

​Save It for a Rainy Day

No matter the season, surprise rain showers often catch many folks off guard. Spare unprepared coworkers or clients from the plights of soaked clothes and squishy shoes by keeping several spare umbrellas in the workplace. Next time an unsuspecting storm brews, your preparedness will save their day (and their outfit).

​Fill in the Blanks

Children often leave classrooms with something other than homework; cold-causing germs. Unfortunately, many schools are in short supply of the necessary bacteria-fighting tools such as disinfectant wipes and facial tissues. Help keep students and teachers healthy by donating these much-needed supplies to a local school.

These are just a few of the many ways we can all be everyday heroes. Each and every day, there are millions of people are making a difference through their kind deeds – and we want to hear from them. Use #DanskoHeroes to share your stories of everyday heroics!